Healthcare facilities across eastern Bhutan are set to benefit from a major upgrade following the deployment of nearly Nu 300 million worth of medical equipment to hospitals in six eastern districts.
The equipment, provided by the Government of Japan under a project aimed at strengthening healthcare services in eastern Bhutan, was formally handed over to the Ministry of Health as Bhutan and Japan commemorate 40 years of diplomatic friendship.
More than 30 types of medical equipment have been supplied under the initiative. These include digital X-ray and ultrasound machines, infant incubators and a range of other diagnostic and medical devices intended to strengthen the capacity of hospitals in the region.
The equipment has already been distributed to district hospitals in Lhuentse, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Pema Gatshel and Samdrup Jongkhar, as well as the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital in Monggar.
The new facilities are expected to allow more patients to access diagnostic and treatment services closer to home, reducing the need to travel outside their districts for services that can now be provided locally.
Dr Mimi Lhamu Mynak, President of the National Medical Services, said most eastern districts already have trained personnel capable of operating the newly supplied equipment. For health facilities requiring additional manpower, approval has been secured from the Royal Civil Service Commission to recruit more personnel and provide them with the necessary training.
The initiative goes beyond the supply of medical equipment, with relevant healthcare professionals also receiving training in the operation and maintenance of the machines. The capacity-building component is intended to ensure that the new facilities can be used effectively and maintained over the longer term.
The four-year project is being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with a focus on improving the availability and quality of healthcare services in eastern Bhutan.
Dr Mynak said the support would further strengthen healthcare delivery across the six eastern districts and enable residents to receive quality care within their own communities.
Since the project agreement was signed in 2022, JICA has provided medical equipment and technical capacity-building support valued at Nu 327 million to hospitals in eastern Bhutan.
Officials from Bhutan and Japan said the latest handover reflects the longstanding partnership between the two countries while reinforcing their shared commitment to improving access to universal healthcare.
The initiative also assumes significance as the two countries mark four decades of friendship, with healthcare cooperation continuing to form an important part of Japan’s development support to Bhutan.
